Xylophone



April 20, 1943. ZIMMERMAN 2,317,164

XYLOPHONE Filed Oct. 7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HARE) zwn/fimmv LQ fiTTOR/VEY April 20, 1943. H. ZIMMERMAN XYLOPHONE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 7, 1942 April 20, 1943. H, RMAN 2,317,164

' XYLOPHONE Filed Oct. 7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m INVENTOR. .0 zmvfiwzmm BY U If? WMWEY Patented Apr. 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to xylophones or other similar instruments generally, but more particularly to the manner and means of mounting the musical bars or sounding members of such musical instruments.

One object of the invention is the provision of a framework for supporting the musical bars of a. Xylophone in which the sidewalls of said framework prevent the said bars from being accidentally displaced from their normal position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a musical instrument in which the unfinished ends of the musical bars are at all times covered so as to avoid contact between the said ends and the hands of the player thus preventing possible accidental injury to the player.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a Xylophone bar mounting in which no metallic or other sound deadening materials may come in contact with the bars while the instrument is being played.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a musical instrument in which the musical bars are so supported as to avoid the expensive operation of winding and looping the supporting cords about the bars, or of driving locating nails or pins upon which the bars are mounted, thus greatly reducing the time required and cost of assembling such instruments.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a musical instrument which may be entirely made of non-metallic elements.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such mounting means which is equally adaptable for use in connection with circular, semi-circular or flat sounding members, whether made of wood, metal, glass or plastic material.

Another object is to produce a device of the character described in which the maximum simplicity of construction and operation is secured.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel arrangement and co-relation of parts herein fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters are used to describe corresponding parts throughout the several views, and then finally pointed out and specifically defined and indicated in the appended claims.

The disclosure made the basis of exemplifying the present inventive concept suggests a practical embodiment thereof, but the invention is not to be restricted to the exact details of this disclosure, and the latter, therefore, is to be understood from an illustrative, rather than a restrictive standpoint.

In the drawings accompanying this specification,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a Xylophone embodying one form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmental side view thereof at an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a fragmental sectional view taken on line 33 Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view partly broken away of one end wall of the Xylophone frame;

Figure 6 is a fragmental view in perspective of the supporting cord holding bar.

Figure 7 is a view showing the frame blank in unfolded position.

Figure 8 is a fragmental View in perspective of a modified form of the frame and Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a further modified form of the invention.

The xylophones or other similar instruments now commonly used and especially those of the toy variety, comprise a plurality of musical bars held in place on a frame either by looped cords or locating nails or pins, the ends of the said bars extending exteriorly of the frame. In the xylophones in which the bars are located and maintained in position by means of pins, contact between the said pins and bars cause discordant notes when the bars are struck. In the other case where the bars are strung a great deal of time is consumed in the assembling clue to the said operation, and in both cases, the ends of the bars are left exposed, the said ends being often left rough to reduce the cost of the instrument. All of the foregoing are undesirable features and to obviate same I have perfected my present invention.

Referring now to Figures 1 to '7 of the draw ings, the numeral l0 indicates the framework of my improved Xylophone. The said frame comprises a pair of spaced apart housings II and I2 mounted upon a common base l3, and is formed from a single blank [4 of cardboard or the like. The blank H is provided with a pair of converging score lines l5 and I6, which define the side edges of the base l3. Outwardly spaced from the line l5 and parallel thereto are score lines ll, [8 and I9. Similarly located with respect to the line iii are score lines 20, 2| and 22.

The housing II is formed by the blank material between the score line l5 and the end edge 23 of the blank, its outer side wall 24 being formed by the score lines l5 and II, the top wall 25 by the lines I! and 18, the inner side wall 26 by the lines I8 and I9 and the bottom wall 21 by the score line [9 and the end edge 23. The respective walls 28, 29, 30 and 3| are of the housing 12 and are similarly formed between the score lines It, 20, 2| and 22 and the opposite end edge 32 of the blank.

When folded the frame I8 is closed at its ends by means of walls 33 and 34, the blank being provided with cutouts 35 and 36 at its wider side edge and with similar cutouts 31 and 38 at its narrower side edge to accommodate the said end walls 33 and 34 which are respectively provided with spaced apart grooves 39-40 and 4 I --42', the end edges of the wall 26 fitting into the grooves 39 and 4| and the end edges of the wall. 30 fitting into the grooves 40 and 42.

The inner side walls 26 and 30 of the respective housings I I and I2 have each suitably secured to their inner surface a strip 43 of cardboard or the like, the said strips being provided with spaced apart cutouts 44 at their upper surfaces. Overlying the said upper face of each of the said strips 43 is a string or cord 45 secured at its ends in openings 46 at or near the ends of the strips 43. The said strings or cords act as a support for the musical bars 41, the said bars merely resting upon the cords 45.

In assembling the instrument, the bars which in the present instance are shown as tubular and are preferably made of glass, are inserted into the frame through openings 48 in the side wall 28 of the frame, the said tubes also passing through relatively large openings 49 and 50 in the respective innerside walls 26 and 33. The diameter of the holes 48 is such, as to have a tight fit with the tubes so as to prevent the tubes from accidentally working their way out through the said holes. It will also be seen by inspection of Figure 2 that the cords 45 are so positioned as to bring the center of the tubes above the center of the holes 48 further providing against accidental displacement of the tubes. It will also be seen that the above arrangement of the cords and the holes 49 and 50 in the side walls and the cutouts 44 in the strips 43, form free, unrestrained or floating supports for the musical bars or tubes, which it is believed is the best possible kind of support for such bars. It should also be borne in mind that the'weight of the bars on the cords exert sufficient friction to prevent lateral movement of the said bars, thus preventing direct contact between the ends of the tubes and the side walls of the frame.

Furthermore, I desire it understood that although I have shown and described the musical bars as being circular and made of glass, they may just as readily be made of any other suitable substance and may be flat or semi-tubular.

In the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figure 8 where I have shown a portion of the housing l2a, I have omitted the cord supporting strips 43, and instead of same I provide the inner walls of the housings with tongues 50a upon which the cords 45a may be suitably supported.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 9, I have entirely omitted the base and the housings Nb and I2?) are only united by'the end pieces or walls 33 and 34- only the Wall 34 being visible in said view, the tube entrance openings 48 are also omitted; in all other respects the construction remains the same as in the form shown and described in Figures 1 to 7'. In assembling this type of instrument only one of the housings is first secured to the end walls, the tubes are then inserted into said housing after which the other housing is placed over the exposed ends of the tubes and secured in place.

From all of the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive yet highly efiicient Xylophone or similar musical instrument in which the ends of the musical members are covered or enclosed, so that they cannot come in contact with and injure the hands of the player or anyone handling same, the said musical member being freely supported on sound insulating cords and cannot readily come in contact with any sound deadening portion of the frame to cause sound distortion when the said members are struck by a hammer or the like.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart interconnected tubular housings, said housings each having openings in their inner side walls, the openings in the Wall of one housing being opposed to the openings in the wall of the other housing, a cord supported in each housing and extending longitudinally thereof above the bottom of the openings, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the cords.

2. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected tubular housings, said housings each having openings in their inner side walls, the openings in the wall of one housing being opposed to the openings in the Wall of the other housing, a vibration-damping element supported in each housing above the bottom of the openings and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the damping elements.

3. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected tubular housings, said housings each having openings in their inner opposed side walls arranged in opposed relation, end members connected with and supporting said housings in predetermined relation, a vibration-damping element supported in each housing above the bottom of the openings therein, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon said damping elements.

4. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected tubular housings, said housings each having openings in their inner side Walls, the openings in the wall of one housing being opposed to the openings in the Wall of the other housing, a flexible vibration-damping element supported in each housing and extending longitudinally thereof above the bottom of the openings, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the vibration-damping elements.

5. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected tubular housings, said housings each having openings in their inner opposed side walls arranged inv opposed relation, end members connected with and supporting said housings in predetermined relation, a vibration-damping element supported in each housing and extending longitudinally thereof above the bottom of the openings therein, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the vibration-damping elements.

6. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart hollow housings and a bottom connecting the same, all formed from a single blank of material, the inner opposed side Walls of said housings being provided with openings arranged in opposed relation, a vibration-damping element supported in each housing above the bottom of the openings therein, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositeiy disposed openings and resting upon the damping elements.

7. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected hollow housings, said housings each having openings formed in their inner 0pposed side walls arranged in opposed relation, the outer wall of one of said housings being also provided with entrance openings of smaller diameter than the aforesaid openings and in general alinement with the latter, a vibrationdamping element in each housing above the bottom of the first mentioned openings, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the damping elements aforesaid.

8. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected hollow housings, each having openings in their inner side walls, the openings in the wall of one housing being opposed to the openings in the wall of the other housing, supporting elements in each housing adjacent the inner wall thereof, a vibration-damping eiement resting on said supporting elements in each housing above the bottom of the aforesaid openings, and a musical member extending through each pair or oppositely disposed openings and resting upon said vibration-damping elements.

9. A Xylophone or similar musical instrument comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected tubular housings, said housings each having openings in their inner side walls, the openings in the Wall of one housing being opposed to the openings in the Wall of the other housing, the outer wall of one of said housings being also provided with entrance openings of smaller diameter than the aforesaid openings and in general alinement with the latter, a supporting means in each housing adjacent the inner wall thereof, a flexible vibration-damping element carried on the supporting means in each housing and extending longitudinally thereof above the bottom of the aforesaid opposed openings, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the vibration-damping elements.

15. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected hollow housings, said housings each having openings in their inner side walls, the openings in the wall of one housing being opposed to the openings in the wall of the other housing, a supporting strip mounted in each housing adjacent the inner side Wall thereof and extending substantially the greater portion of the length of said wall, the upper edge of said strip being provided with cut-outs arranged in aiinement with the openings in the adjacent wall of said housing, a vibration-damping element secured at its ends to said strip and overlying the same in each housing, said damping element extending above the bottom of the openings in the adjacent Wall of the housing, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the damping elements.

11. A Xylophone or other similar musical instrument, comprising a pair of spaced apart inter-connected tubular housings, each having openings in inner side Walls arranged in opposed relationship, tongues struck inwardly of the housings from the inner opposed Walls thereof, a vibration-damping element supported in each housing on said tongues and extending longitudinally thereof above the bottom of the openings, and a musical member extending through each pair of oppositely disposed openings and resting upon the damping elements.

HARRY ZIMMERMAN. 

